Student Mobility Dan Diambri CHS414 Dr. Rhode

Mobility Statistics An estimated 6 million elementary school children change schools every year in the U.S About 1 in every 5 school-aged child moves every year. By the end of third grade, one out of six children has attended three or more schools in the U.S. 1/3 of fourth graders, 19% of eighth graders, and 12% of seniors in high school have changed schools at least once in the previous two years. More students attend multiple schools in their lifetime than remained in a single stable school district. The rates of moving are higher in urban school districts comprised predominantly of minorities.

Causes Dissatisfaction with current schools Residential Movement Expulsions/Suspensions Families without both biological parents and students who show low school performance, behavior problems, and absenteeism tend to move more often.

Negative Impacts Research has shown mobile students experience social and environmental adjustment issues, which can lead to misbehavior, youth violence, and an absence in participating in extracurricular activities. Schools known for high mobility rates often times are at least one year behind in academics. All students are emotionally affected by having their friends come and go.

Negative Impacts (2) Administrators and counselors often times have a difficult time attaining health records, files, and IEPs, which help to place transfer students in appropriate classes. Monitoring school performance becomes counter- productive because the population changes every year making it difficult to make faculty decisions. (Improvement issues)

Positive Impacts There can be a benefit to moving schools if it is a planned, strategic, agreed-upon-family decision to move for educational purposes. Better academics Planned job move Students should be involved in the process as much as possible

Solutions Administrators Parents Students Teachers Community School Counselors

Administrators Use electronic record keeping systems and provide faculty with records of new students as soon as possible to help stay up to date and start transfer students in the correct classes as soon as they arrive. Introduce new students to the people in charge and make sure they are familiar with who the principals are and the expectations.

Parents Encourage Volunteering Show Support Provide HW Help Tour of the school with the parent Familiarize yourself with the school handbook Dr. Arden Greenspan-Goldberg is a psychotherapist who specializes in eating disorders, sport psychology, gay and lesbian youth, women, men, teen and young adult issues.

Students Student Ambassador Programs Student Clubs or Sports Classroom Volunteer Ask for help Lunch Buddies

Teachers Incorporate welcoming duties and activities for everyone in the class when newcomers inevitably arrive. Preparing a student’s desk, supplies, and workplace before he or she arrives can be comforting and shows the new student that the teacher is looking forward to having them in class. Volunteer/join clubs, sports, or other after school clubs

Community Locally, The Staying Put project based out of Chicago works with parents and educators to clarify the rights and responsibilities that exist under the Chicago Public Schools. This program vigorously works to inform parents the consequences of moving their children in schools through brochures and newsletters and tips on how to best handle unavoidable moves.

School Counselors Meet/greet the parents and new students Answer any questions the new student may have Inform the new student of ambassador programs, school activities etc Introduce student to their teachers Give a tour of the school - walk through their schedule Make sure the student knows where the counseling office, main office, lunch room, library, and their locker are located

My Internship Site Kingsley Junior High School offers… Student Ambassadors School Tours (Before/During/After) Meetings with counselors and teachers before first day Schedule walkthroughs

More Info. Power Point Presentation Student Mobility Paper References Videos Links to additional information